YAYI’S POLITICAL BRAVADO CANNOT SUBSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY

 

OGUN PEOPLE DESERVE A CHOICE, NOT ARROGANCE

A Response to Segun Olatunji’s Article: “Why PDP’s Paperwork Disaster Isn’t an APC Strategy”

Ibiyemi Comfort Pamilerin (ICP)

There is something particularly amusing about an article that attempts to celebrate democratic competition while simultaneously expressing disappointment that the opposition may not have the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral contest. Segun Olatunji’s commentary, rather than addressing the legitimate concerns surrounding the political developments in Ogun State, has exposed an unfortunate tendency within the APC camp: confusing political confidence with democratic entitlement.

Let us make one thing clear: the 2027 Ogun State governorship election is not a coronation ceremony for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi. It is an electoral contest in which the people of Ogun State, not political power brokers, media strategists or self appointed gatekeepers, must determine who governs them.

THE ABSENCE OF A STRONG OPPOSITION IS NOT A POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Olatunji appears comfortable mocking the PDP over the controversies surrounding its candidate's appearance on INEC's list. However, the fundamental question remains: why should any political party celebrate a situation that potentially limits the choices available to voters?

Democracy thrives on competition, accountability and the freedom of citizens to choose between candidates with different visions and political records.

If the APC genuinely believes Yayi is the most acceptable candidate in Ogun State, why the apparent anxiety to dismiss every concern raised by the opposition?

The PDP's insistence on pursuing its legitimate interests through the appropriate legal channels is not evidence of fear or incompetence. It is an exercise of democratic and constitutional rights.

Electoral disputes are matters for the courts to determine, not political commentators. Until the legal questions are conclusively resolved, declaring the opposition defeated is premature and politically convenient.

YAYI'S PRIMARY ELECTION FIGURES ARE NOT A GENERAL ELECTION RESULT*

The article celebrates Yayi's alleged 304,055 votes out of 305,287 accredited voters during the APC primary as though the figures automatically translate into statewide acceptance.

This argument is fundamentally misplaced.

An internal party primary is not a governorship election. APC members and delegates do not constitute the entire electorate of Ogun State. Winning an overwhelming number of votes within one's political party does not automatically confer the mandate of the general electorate.

The real test of popularity is the willingness of the people across Ogun Central, Ogun East and Ogun West to freely accept a candidate at the ballot box.

Furthermore, having won six consecutive legislative elections does not automatically make anyone the best person to govern Ogun State. Legislative experience is valuable, but governing a state requires a different level of vision, administrative competence, leadership, accountability and understanding of the people's needs.

PROJECTS AND PROMISES MUST BE SUBJECTED TO PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

We acknowledge that public infrastructure, education, healthcare and empowerment programmes are important components of development. However, political communication should not become an exercise in listing impressive figures without allowing the public to examine their actual impact.

The claims of over 200 roads, 340 classroom blocks, 5,500 scholarship beneficiaries, 167 transformers and other interventions deserve independent scrutiny.

Where are these projects located? What is their completion status? How many communities have benefited? What is their quality and sustainability?

The people of Ogun State deserve verifiable evidence, not statistics presented as campaign ammunition.

More importantly, facilitating projects as a federal legislator is not the same as demonstrating the capacity to govern an entire state.

The governorship contest should is about the future of Ogun State, including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, education, healthcare, infrastructure, local government autonomy and the economic welfare of ordinary citizens.

ITESIWAJU IS A BLUEPRINT, BUT GOVERNANCE IS ABOUT DELIVERY

Olatunji presents the ITESIWAJU Agenda as though unveiling a nine-pillar blueprint automatically settles the question of who should govern Ogun State.

With due respect, Nigerians have heard enough political promises to understand that beautiful documents do not necessarily translate into better living conditions.

The people are interested in how these proposals will be funded, implemented, monitored and sustained.

A proposed Ministry of Wealth Creation, a New Towns Development Agency and an Aurora mobility platform may sound attractive, but the electorate deserves answers about their feasibility, implementation timelines and measurable benefits.

The question is not how many policies a candidate can announce. It is whether the candidate possesses the capacity, credibility and political will to translate those policies into tangible improvements in people's lives.

OGUN STATE IS NOT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OF POLITICAL GATEKEEPERS

Perhaps the most revealing part of Olatunji's article is the attempt to present the endorsements of political leaders as proof that Yayi's candidacy represents a historic consensus.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Senator Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun are important political figures. Their opinions and endorsements deserve recognition, but they cannot vote on behalf of millions of Ogun residents.

Ogun State belongs to its people, not a political caucus.

Even the much-celebrated emergence of a candidate from Ogun West cannot be used to suggest that the people of the district, or the entire state, have surrendered their democratic choices.

The people of Ogun West deserve development, inclusion and equal opportunities. But these aspirations must not be reduced to a political bargaining chip.

A historic opportunity should be measured by the quality of leadership and the development delivered to the people, not simply by the geographical origin of a candidate.

LADI ADEBUTU REMAINS A POLITICAL ALTERNATIVE WORTH DEBATING*

The attempt to dismiss Hon. Oladipupo Ladi Adebutu as an unworthy opponent reveals more about the insecurity of the argument than the strength of the candidate.

Ladi Adebutu has his own political experience, grassroots connections, political constituency and vision for Ogun State. His suitability for the governorship should be debated on the basis of his record, programmes, character and capacity, not reduced to administrative controversies surrounding party documentation.

If Yayi is as overwhelmingly popular as his supporters claim, then the presence of Ladi Adebutu should be an opportunity to demonstrate that popularity through a credible and competitive election.

The PDP is not asking anyone to hand its candidate the governorship. We are insisting that the democratic process must be protected and that the people must retain their right to make a choice.

THE REAL SCOREBOARD IS THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE

Olatunji says the match was over before it started. I disagree.

The match has not been decided by newspaper articles, political endorsements, primary election statistics or social media celebrations. It will be decided by the people of Ogun State.

The electorate will judge candidates by the quality of education available to their children, the accessibility of healthcare, the state of their roads, employment opportunities, economic security and the general standard of living.

No amount of political propaganda can permanently replace these realities.

Senator Yayi is entitled to promote his achievements and present his agenda. But he must also be prepared to answer difficult questions and face legitimate criticism. That is democracy.

The PDP will not be intimidated by political rhetoric, neither will it surrender its democratic rights because some APC supporters are already celebrating an election that has not taken place.

Our message is simple: Ogun State needs a competitive election, not a predetermined outcome; accountable leadership, not political arrogance; and a government chosen by the people, not one declared victorious by its supporters before the people have spoken.

In 2027, the people of Ogun State deserve the final say. And that is a democratic principle no amount of political bravado can erase.